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Pelosi calls for formal impeachment inquiry of President Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and a whistleblower complaint (all times local):

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made it official, telling fellow Democrats she supports a formal impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

Her remarks at a closed-door meeting was described by two people familiar with the remarks who were not authorized to discuss them publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Pelosi is set to make a formal announcement at 5 p.m.

A third person familiar with Pelosi’s remarks but unauthorized to speak publicly says she told Democrats they have reached “a moment of truth” with the president.

She called reports indicating that Trump pressured Ukraine’s leader to investigate Joe Biden’s family “a betrayal of our national security” and a “betrayal of our election.”

Trump insists he did nothing wrong when it comes to Ukraine and announced he’ll release a transcript of a phone call with the Ukrainian president.

–Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick

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4:40 p.m.

The GOP-controlled Senate has approved a nonbinding but symbolically important resolution calling on the Trump administration to immediately provide the House and Senate intelligence committees a copy of a whistleblower complaint involving President Donald Trump.

The measure put forward by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer passed by voice vote after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed the idea and noted that the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Intelligence Committee was working behind the scenes to obtain the complaint.

Trump is alleged to have pressured the government of Ukraine to look into former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the front-runners for the Democratic nomination.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that the House would vote on a similar resolution on Wednesday.

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Repair project will close stretch of Catharine Road

The Ellis County Public Works Road & Bridge Division has announced that an asphalt repair project will take place beginning at the intersection of 310th and Catharine Road and commencing east on Catharine Road for 3 miles to the intersection of Cathedral Avenue and Catharine Road.

This will begin at the 2200 block through the 2400 block of Catharine Road. This 3-mile area stretch of Catharine Road will be closed to through traffic beginning at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday and will remain closed until the project is complete. The expected completion date of the first phase of this project will be two to three working days from the start of the project.

Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use alternate routes of travel until the project is completed.

For more information, call 785-628-9455.

Kansas man sentenced in death of confidential drug informant

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the October 2017 death of a confidential drug informant.

Steven Meredith -photo KDOC

Steven Meredith was sentenced Monday for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting death of 48-year-old Carrie Jones. Both were from Junction City.

Jones’ body was found by deer hunters in rural Riley County in October 2017.

Prosecutors contend Meredith shot Jones because he thought she would tell authorities that he was selling drugs.

Meredith pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in July, days before his trial was set to begin. He initially was charged with first-degree murder.

Meredith testified Monday that he was present when Jones was shot but said he did not shoot her.

🎥 FHSU football holds weekly football press conference

Fort Hays State coach Chris Brown held his weekly press conference Tuesday after the Tigers picked up their first win of the season Saturday as the Tigers rallied to beat Washburn 41-38 in overtime. The Tigers host Missouri Southern Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.

Coach Brown was joined in his weekly press conference this week with junior quarterback Voshon Waiters and sophomore defensive back Jordan Starks.

Chris Brown

Voshon Waiters

Jordan Starks

Ellis announces 2019 Homecoming candidates

Back Row (L to R): Zachary Eck, son of Mark and Sarah Eck; Jake Eck, son of Geoff and Mindy Eck; Landis Fischer, son of DJ and Julie Fischer. Front Row (L to R): Breonna North, daughter of Travis and Ava North; Clara Crawford, daughter of Kimberly Andries and the late George Crawford; Rylee Werth, daughter of Rodney and Cristi Werth

ELLIS — Ellis High School has announced its 2019 Homecoming candidates.

A complete schedule of activities is below:

Parents help kids escape through broken window after gun reported at Kan. school

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement were busy investigating two unfounded reports at a middle school Tuesday.

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School google image

Just before 11:30 a.m., police were dispatched to Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, 1400 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, to reports of an intruder, according to officer Patrick Compton.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers conducted a thorough search of the building and determined there was no threat.

Earlier in the day, students voiced concerns to school administrators that another student had possibly brought a gun to school. The administrators began questioning the child, and as a precaution, put the school on lockdown. Parents began calling 911 after receiving concerning text messages from students and proceeded to the school in attempt to take their children home.

Lawrence police officers and parents arrived at approximately the same time, as parents were attempting to help students exit a broken first floor window.

Some of the students were treated at the scene for minor injuries from the broken glass.

Police were able to quickly determine that no weapons were present in this incident, and none of the students, faculty or staff were in any danger, according to Compton.

Animal rescue operators charged after more than 140 dogs die

photo Benton County Sheriff

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A couple who operated an animal rescue face multiple charges after 120 dogs and a cat were found dead in Missouri and about two dozen more dogs died in Texas. More than 200 other animals were rescued from conditions that law enforcement described as “inhumane and unimaginable.”

Forty-nine-year-old Tiffany Woodington, was charged Friday in Missouri with 10 counts of felony animal abuse and two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. Her husband, Steven Woodington, was charged Thursday in Texas with animal cruelty.

Tiffany Woodington photo Benton Co.

A second man described as the caretaker also was charged in Texas with animal cruelty. All three are free on bond.

The Benton County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office said that the couple operated the nonprofit group All Accounted For, which brought animals from Texas to Missouri.

Rising Missouri River forces road closure in northeast Kansas

MoDOT photo of U.S. Route 59 in March

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Highway 59, the route to Atchison, Kansas in southern Buchanan County, has been closed after floodwaters from the Missouri River overflowed the highway once again.

The Missouri River level has been rising ever since the US Army Corps of Engineers increased releases from Gavins Point Dam from 70,000 cubic feet per second to 80,000. The Corps increased releases after extreme rain in the upper Missouri River basin filled the six reservoirs upstream on the Missouri.

Highway 59, from state Highway 45 at Rushville to Atchison, Kansas, is closed, according to an alert sent out by the St. Joseph Police Department this morning and confirmed by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The MoDOT reports flooding has closed Route 10 in Carroll County, as well. MoDOT is keeping a close eye on Route 65 near Carrollton as crest of the Missouri River moves south.

The Missouri River is at 22.74 feet at Rulo, Nebraska, expected to crest at 22.8 early tomorrow morning, according to the National Weather Service. The Missouri at St. Joseph is at 21.8 feet this morning with a crest of 22.4 expected tomorrow. At Atchison, the Missouri River rose to 23.39 feet this morning with a crest of 24.3 expected sometime Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

Kan. man jailed for cashing checks stolen from mailboxes

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with stolen mail.

Annis photo Saline Co.

Salina Police have made another arrest connected to a check stolen from a mailbox in Bennington.

A 57-year-old Bennington man reported to Salina Police that after he discovered his  bank account was overdrawn he contacted American State Bank, 1661 S. Ohio in Salina and learned that on Sept. 16, someone had altered and cashed a check for $1,500 that the victim had originally written for $500,  according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The victim told police that he had put the check in his mailbox on September 15.The altered check was made out to David Annis.

At the time police were investigating the Bennington case, Anni,s 24, of Abilene, was in the Saline County Jail after an arrest on suspicion of forgery in another case.

Police detectives compared bank surveillance video to Annis’ booking photo, positively identified him and arrested him on requested charges that included  Forgery, Felon theft by deception

Police believe more than one person is involved in the forgery case, according to Forrester.

Isaac Wayne Stone

Isaac Wayne Stone, age 21, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2019, in Tribune, Kansas.

Isaac was born December 24, 1997, in Wichita, Kansas. A resident of Tribune, Kansas since 1999 moving from Garden City, Kansas, he was a farmer. He was a 2016 graduate of Greeley County High School in Tribune, Kansas, where he was on the wrestling squad, was active in 4-H and FFA.

Isaac’s surviving family includes his Fiancée’ – Sarah Lightner- Tribune, Kansas, Two Children – Octavia Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Layla Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Parents – Dale & Sheri Stone – Tribune, Kansas, Five siblings – Tammi & Justin Hazel- Tribune, Kansas, Ralph Stone- Hays, Kansas, Isaiah Stone – Colby, Kansas, Elijah Stone – Oahu, Hawaii, Ezekiel & Gabby Stone – Beaufort, South Carolina, Grandparents – Loretta Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Ronnie & Cheryl Rock – Perryton, Texas, Kathy Krayca – Tribune, Kansas, Great Grandmother – Ann Krayca – Goodland, Kansas, Numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

His grandfathers, Raymond Stone and Wayne Krayca, a cousin, Brandon Stone and an uncle, Jay Reynolds precede him in death

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. (MDT) Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Tribune, Kansas with Pastor Shannon Schneider officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Isaac Stone Memorial Fund for his children in care of the funeral home.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Dean Edward Turner

Dean Edward Turner, 88, of Osborne, KS passed away on Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital of Osborne, KS. Dean was born on December 1, 1930 in White Cloud, KS to George A. & Lola E. (Taylor) Turner. Dean had 1 sister.

Dean’s family moved to Hiawatha, KS at an early age. He graduated from high school there & attended KU for 1 year. Dean joined the U. S. Army & served for 2 years. Sixteen of those months he served in Korea. Dean was a member of the American Legion & was a Life Member of VFW. He was also a member of the United Christian Church of Osborne.

Dean was a Warehouse Examiner of the Kansas Grain Inspection Dept. for 31 years. He retired in 1993.

Dean married Norma J. Whaling and to this union, 3 children were born. Several years after Norma passed away, he later married Joan Oelke.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Norma in 2007.

Dean is survived by his wife, Joan; sons: Mitchel of San Antonio, TX; Michael (Richelle) of Kansas City, MO; daughter: Marty (Troy) Gaston of Apex, NC; 12 grandchildren & 11 great grandchildren; sister: Georgia ‘Jo’ (Dean) Marxer, of Costa Mesa, CA; 2 nieces & 1 nephew.

Click HERE for service details.

Renetta (Schmidtberger) Witt

Renetta (Schmidtberger) Witt, 93, of Russell, Kansas passed away September 23, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born Renetta Marie Schmidtberger on March 12, 1926 in Gorham, Kansas the daughter of Frank and Mary (Mermis) Schmidtberger. She grew up on a farm in Gorham, Kansas with five other siblings.

Renetta spent the last five years living with her daughter Marlene Thompson in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Renetta was united in marriage to Lloyd J. Witt on April 6, 1948. Lloyd was engaged in farming and owned Witt Motor Company. Lloyd preceded her in death on May 19, 1967. As well as her parents Frank and Mary Schmidtberger, brothers Ed, Herman and Al and her sister Marcella Haselhorst. Surviving Renetta is her brother, Linus Schmidtberger, of Corpus Christi, Texas, many nieces and nephews.

From this union, Renetta and Lloyd were blessed with two daughters. Mrs. Connie (Gary) Patterson of Lawrence, Kansas and Ms. Marlene Thompson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She leaves behind 5 grandchildren who adored her, Ryan (Rachelle) Patterson, Charlotte, North Carolina, Laura Patterson, Austin, Texas, Mark (Elisabet) Thompson, Shawnee Kansas, Matt Thompson, Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Travis (Maria) Thompson, Stuttgart, Germany. Four great grandchildren Avery, Liam and Reid Patterson and Mia Thompson. She will be remembered as a caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend with a cheerful smile.
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Renetta worked at the City Bakery when she first came to Russell and the Safeway Store. Then she worked for over 40 years at Banker’s Mercantile from 1943-1985. She was seventeen years old when she began working for Banker’s in the Ladies Department. She loved her job and was especially fond of assisting customers to find the clothing fashions to best suit their needs and coordinating accessories. She loved going on vacations with her daughters and their families.

Renetta was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the Ladies VFW Post #620 Auxiliary, St. Mary’s Church Guild, The Elks Lodge, Hallmark Collector’s Club and the Russell Antique Collector’s Club. She was an avid Kansas University basketball fan, cordially sent greeting cards and letters to family and friends, enjoyed embroidery work and loved flowers and all things that were glittery. She often attended auctions and had a passion for antique glassware.

A Celebration of the Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 AM, Friday, September 27, 2019 at St. Mary Queen of Angels Church of Russell with Father Mike Elan officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday September 26 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 26, 2019 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Memorials have been established with St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or Russell Legacy Fund (Russell Historical Society). Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

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